Environment
At-home recycling overview
Recycling is an easy and convenient way to reduce your trash and protect the environment. Cities and property managers are required to offer residents the opportunity to recycle.
Free resources, including container labels and recycling guides, are available to improve recycling in your home and to distribute to friends and neighbors.
What you can recycle
The recycling guide lists what you can and cannot recycle in Hennepin County.
Recycling guides are available in multiple languages. Download or order a free printed recycling guide
To learn about pick-up days in your community, reach out to your city recycling contact.
What happens to your recycling
Many people wonder what happens to their recycling after it leaves their homes. Minnesota and the Midwest are home to many recycling facilities that collect, sort, process, and manufacture items from the bottles, boxes, and containers we put in our recycling bins.
Cartons are sent to facilities that separate the coating from the paper to make new paper products.
Glass bottles and jars are sorted by color then sent to facilities to be made into new food and beverage bottles.
Metal food cans are sent to foundries and steel mills and made into new products like wire, beams, and parts for cars and appliances, while beverage cans are made back into beverage cans.
Paper and boxes are sent to mills where they are mixed with water to make pulp. The pulp is flattened, dried, and rolled into sheets to become new boxes and other cardboard packaging.
Plastics are sorted, shredded and melted into pellets and then sold to companies to make a variety of products. Milk jugs and detergent bottles are made into durable decking, fencing, and landscaping products. Drink bottles and produce containers get made into new bottles.
You can be assured the recycling you put in your cart is getting recycled as long as the materials are accepted in your program and prepared properly. Minnesota state law requires this.
Our efforts to recycle and reduce waste save energy, protect resources, and support about 78,000 jobs in Minnesota.
Learn more at Recycling Exists.
Waste disposal options
Green Disposal Guide
Learn how to get rid of items you can’t recycle at home in the Green Disposal Guide.
How to get rid of it guide
The how to get rid of it guide (PDF, 6MB) provides an overview of waste disposal options for residents. Topics include donate and repair, recycling, organics recycling, backyard composting, yard waste, household hazardous waste, medicine, needles and sharps, and drop-off facilities and collection events.
The guide is available in English, Hmong, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
County drop-off facilities and collection events
The county operates drop-off facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park for household hazardous waste, problem materials, and recycling. Learn about the drop-off facilities.
The county offers seasonal collection events for household hazardous waste, furniture, and building materials. Learn about upcoming events.
City cleanup events
Most cities across the county hold cleanup events, often in the spring and/or fall. City cleanup events offer residents a chance to get rid of hard-to-dispose items such as old furniture, exercise equipment, appliances, electronics, and more. Some cities offer special curbside pick-up service, while others open temporary drop-off sites.
For details about events, including the schedule, what's accepted, and other guidelines, check with your city recycling contact.
Apartment and condo residents
Property owners are required to provide residents with recycling service.
Contact your building manager or association to find out where recycling bins are located and what type of sorting system is used at your property.
If this service is not available, reach out to your city recycling contact.
Learn about Apartment and condo recycling.
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